Smokin' Hot Stove: Wigginton, Putz and Correia

The stove was smoldering during Day 2 of the Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The Colorado Rockies agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal with Ty Wigginton Tuesday, according to an anonymous source close to negotiations.

The 33-year-old utility player, who is capable of playing all over the infield, earned his very first spot on the American League All-Star roster last year with the Baltimore Orioles. He hit .248 with 22 homers and 76 RBI on the season.

A day after the Arizona Diamondbacks acquired right-handed relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio from the Baltimore Orioles for third baseman Mark Reynolds, J.J. Putz signed on with the team for two years and $10 million.

Beltran's Wounded Knee Won't Need Amputation

Nice catch, Fernando.

The New York Mets have finally gotten some good news. The second opinion (from Dr. Richard Steadman) on Carlos Beltran's hurt knee was the same as the Mets’ medical staff: no surgery required.

The Gold Glove center fielder will be re-evaluated later on this week and will most likely still be resting the bone bruise through the All-Star break. Beltran had been playing through the pain most of the season before landing on the 15-day disabled list last week, batting .336 with eight bombs, 20 doubles, 40 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Not bad for wincing.

It's Been a Good Month for Pitchers

Ladies and gentlemen, your Pitchers of the Month.

American League

Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz has been named the American League's Pitcher of the Month for June.

In 13 appearances last month, the righty set a club record by converting all eleven save opportunities he was handed, boasting a 23-for-23 mark on the season at third in the AL. He struck out 19 batters and walked three in 15.1 innings, allowing just one earned run.

With a 1-0 record, Putz was named to the All-Star roster after allowing just four earned runs in 39 innings this season for a magnificent 0.92 ERA, holding opponents to a .107 batting average.


National League

Milwaukee Brewers filthy ace Ben Sheets was honored as the National League's Pitcher of the Month.

As the one and only five-game winner on the Senior Circuit at the start of June, Sheets posted a 2.16 ERA over six starts. He didn't allow an earned run over his last 17 innings and struck out 40 batters in 41.2 innings - the second-most in the NL.

The righty tossed a six-hit complete game against the San Francisco Giants on June 19th and recorded a season-high 11 Ks against the Chicago Cubs on the last day of June. Sheets is 10-3 on the season with a 3.19 ERA and 81 strikeouts over 110 innings.

Both players will receive a super special trophy to commemorate their Pitcher of the Month performances.

More NL vote-getters
Francisco Cordero
Claudio Vargas
Chris Young
Brad Penny
Carlos Zambrano
Jeff Francis
Derek Lowe
Matt Morris
Aaron Harang
John Maine

More AL vote-getters
C.C. Sabathia
Justin Verlander
Brian Bannister
Johan Santana
Joe Blanton
Dan Haren
Jeremy Guthrie

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